Then I went on vacation for just over two weeks. The only thing I sewed was a pair of royal blue and white lace garters for Véronique's wedding attire. We flew to Ontario to visit our daugher and son-in-law. Then we traveled by car to Québec to attend Véronique and Scott's wedding. I finally got back to the July fmq challenge on July 18. Instead of making a practice block first (which I always do) I quilted the tiles directly on to my fmq sample quilt! Big mistake as I forgot how to do it. What was I thinking? Oooops!

It is much easier to see my mistakes on the back side. The tile piece that looks a little like a hockey stick is not joined to another tile.

The second mistake is on the tile above the heart-shaped leaf filler. I'm undecided about whether or not to rip them out and quilt it again. There is approximately two square inches of very tiny stitches to rip out on both tile and filler designs.

I really like the way the unique filler designs turned out. The round pebbles, vertical lines and the other designs give this block a lovely texture. It is wonderful to run your hands over.

After I did my quilt block, I made an 11 by 15 inch practice block to quilt the tile technique again.

This time I used the same filler design in all the tiles and varied the tile shapes. The top is 100% off-white cotton sheeting.

The back side is 100% cotton pink flannelette.

Readers, when you are learning a new technique, do you always make a practice block?

Would you rip out the mistakes to fix the sample quilt or leave it alone?

11 comments:

I love both of them! When I saw the first pictures I was thinking how beautifully done the FMQing was. The only one who is calling certain elements mistakes is you! If you dare pick out any stitches I'll have to come out your way and give you a good talking too Ha Ha!

Our July tutor says not to rip and tear - listen to your teacher, LOL!!Your pieces look great - I especially like the different-shaped tile outlines in the second one - there are so many interesting takes on this challenge ... happens every month, love it!

Tammy, leave it be and call it a learning lesson, but really very few people would be able to pick out the mistake I'd bet! It is very pretty and if I didn't have so much going on I would give it a try because I love the looks of the finished project. Take Care

Your tiling looks great, the paper practice really paid off. I agree about not picking out those stitches. The small details give the block some personality and once the whole top is completed they'll fit right in.

I'm usually about 50/50 on testing designs on a practice piece vs jumping right in.

Rip out mistakes? Nah! Not unless I were quilting for a show. Your pieces look wonderful. I always practice before I do the real thing, and I'm trying to discipline myself to draw the design first, too. ONeof these days....

Veto

Véronique & Scott

Liam - Favourite Grandson

Lily

Lily on a mission..

My Sewing Machines!

I wish my vintage machines could tell their stories of where they have been, what they sewed and how they were loved.

American Home

Introducing Pinky! - Japanese 15 Clone

1910 Bernard Stoewer Treadle

Made in Germany

1940 Singer 15-91 (Pearl)

This machine has a geared driven motor. Sold to Linda in Glenboro April 2015

1960s Imperial - Ruthie

Made in Japan. Ruthie was gifted to an immigrant family in August 2010.

Bernina Nova 900 (Novalee)

Manufactured in Switzerland between 1982-1985. Sold to Marge in Steinbach, Manitoba in February 2012.

1983 Bernina 930 Record

Manufactured in Switzerland

Elna Air Electronic TSP

Manufactured in Switzerland in 1976. This machine was gifted to my niece in September 2010.

1954 Elna Supermatic

Manufactured in Switzerland. This machine was sold to Jeanne In Winnipeg December 2011.

1970s Elna Supermatic (Ella)

Manufactured in Switzerland. Sold to Kristen in Winnipeg in December 2011.

Elna SU 62C

Manufactured in Switzerland. Purchased in July 2013 and sold in August 2013.

1996 Husqvarna 500 (Heidi)

Made in Sweden. I bought it new in 1997 and to this day it is still my favourite machine. Heidi complete with the cabinet she sits on was gifted to Shannon in July 2011.

Husqvarna 530 Lily

Manufactured in Sweden 1997 traded for the 555 in March 2012

Husqvarna Lily 555

Manufactured in Sweden sold to Rosalie in Stonewall May 2015

1979 Husqvarna 6570 (Ruby)

Manufactured in Sweden. Ruby was sold to Sandra in Winnipeg March 2012.

1961 Necchi Lelia 513

Made in Italy - sold to Maria in Winnipeg January 2013

1954 Necchi Mira BU

Manufactured in Italy. Mira was sold to Cindy in Florida in January 2012.

Pfaff 7510 (Phyllis)

Isn't she pretty? Phyllis was sold in June 2011.

Ms. Remington

I'm just tickled pink with her!

Singer Genie 354

Manufactured in France in 1974. Traded in to upgrade embroidery machine in September 2013.

Singer featherweight - Tinkerbell!

A tiny black beauty. Traded in to upgrade embroidery machine in September 2013.

1956 Domestic Automatic (Wilma)

Manufactured in Japan. This machine has a dozen cams to make fancy zig-zag stitches. Wilma was given to my son Jason in August 2013, she lives in Calgary now.

Domestic badge

Fancy sewing machine cabinet

In 1988, I bought this cabinet without a machine for $35. My husband took it apart. It took me four months of evenings and weekends to strip and refinish it. Doug put a shelf in to fit a modern free-arm machine. Since 1997 this cabinet is home to Shannon's Husqvarna 500.

Elna Stella (Stella)

My Wee Sewing Machine made in Switzerland. Stella weighs about 12 pounds. This machine was sold on ebay to a lady in Hawaii.